How to: Amplifier custom install
02-25-2005, 05:19 PM
#11
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Originally Posted by ForeverSilent004
Originally Posted by 1993 SLE
Originally Posted by ForeverSilent004
Originally Posted by 1993 SLE
why not mount it right under the rear deck?? you know like where the 6x9'* are. it would take up no space and it would go along with your stealth installation, and all the wires would be hidden out of sight
an amp should be mounted either horizontally or vertically, or anywhere inbetween. not upside down.
the few that you have seen mounted upside down are probably low output amps. i know my mothers impala has a small stock amp mounted under the rear deck, but then again, it has heatsinks all over it
read the owners manual about mounting the amp, let us know what you find....
02-25-2005, 05:22 PM
#12
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ok on a serious note.... i got this from www.CrutchField.com
so maybe that isnt such a good idea....... back to the drawing boards! 
Keeping your amp cool
Something else to consider when choosing a mounting spot: Amplifiers produce heat, and the heat must be dissipated efficiently. The amp'* cooling fins absorb heat and radiate it into the surrounding air. For the cooling fins to operate efficiently, they need a few inches of air space around them. When mounting the amp on a side wall, try to position it so that the slots in the cooling fins are vertical.
Amps should not be mounted on the bottom of a rear deck with the fins facing down because the heat will radiate back up into the amp. Leave yourself enough room on either side of the amp to make all the wire connections and adjust the controls. If you have a subwoofer box in your vehicle, you can mount the amp on the outside of the box.
Something else to consider when choosing a mounting spot: Amplifiers produce heat, and the heat must be dissipated efficiently. The amp'* cooling fins absorb heat and radiate it into the surrounding air. For the cooling fins to operate efficiently, they need a few inches of air space around them. When mounting the amp on a side wall, try to position it so that the slots in the cooling fins are vertical.
Amps should not be mounted on the bottom of a rear deck with the fins facing down because the heat will radiate back up into the amp. Leave yourself enough room on either side of the amp to make all the wire connections and adjust the controls. If you have a subwoofer box in your vehicle, you can mount the amp on the outside of the box.
02-25-2005, 05:34 PM
#13
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I too have seen upside-down mounting frequently, and no amps (that I no of) have blown up yet. 
If mounting upside-down is a concern because of heat dissipation, I would think that a small cooling fan mounted near it (also hidden) and blowing across the heat sinks would do the trick. The fan could be wired into your remote power lead, so it would power up unless the amp was also on. Kinda like your computer CPU. Just another option to consider!
If mounting upside-down is a concern because of heat dissipation, I would think that a small cooling fan mounted near it (also hidden) and blowing across the heat sinks would do the trick. The fan could be wired into your remote power lead, so it would power up unless the amp was also on. Kinda like your computer CPU. Just another option to consider!
02-25-2005, 10:34 PM
#14
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It'll run hotter for sure. Can probably get away with it, but it might not last quite as long as it would in a normal position.
Also, the speakers make the rear deck vibrate. Vibrations = not the best. Makes me wanna move my amp.
I from time to time open or close the passthru in my car because the sound is different. On the way to Bonniefest (85-90* F maybe) my amp started to overheat. Its located on the back of my sub box, about 2-3" from the backseat right behind the passthru which I had closed. Opened the passthrough, and pointed the rear console vents at it, and It never gave me trouble again. I guess it didn't like being on for 7 hours straight, playing loud (making lots of heat), in a closed compartment, in the hot summer.
Also, the speakers make the rear deck vibrate. Vibrations = not the best. Makes me wanna move my amp.
I from time to time open or close the passthru in my car because the sound is different. On the way to Bonniefest (85-90* F maybe) my amp started to overheat. Its located on the back of my sub box, about 2-3" from the backseat right behind the passthru which I had closed. Opened the passthrough, and pointed the rear console vents at it, and It never gave me trouble again. I guess it didn't like being on for 7 hours straight, playing loud (making lots of heat), in a closed compartment, in the hot summer.
02-26-2005, 10:14 AM
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ok, how about this? Take a board the length of the trunk sideways and mount it vertically having the top of that said board screwed into the metal brace behind it. Then just have that board go down about 1 foot or so and mount the amps to that. Then, just cut out the center of that board to go around the pass-through again. It won't be as stealth as I had originally wanted, but it also won't be bad. The amps will then be mounted vertical, parallel to the back seat.
02-27-2005, 12:35 AM
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Forever silent is 100% correct.
If you mount the amp upside down you'll fry everything in it. Heat does indeed rise. That the purpose of heatsinks on the sides of amps. Most of the time people mount the amps on a vertical plane the heat rises up going through the heatsinks.
You could probably go to Home Depot or Lowes and get a sheet of MDF (medium density fiberboard). And make an amp rack to fit your needs. Even a piece of scrap plywood would work. It sure would be cheaper than having to replace and amp.
If you mount the amp upside down you'll fry everything in it. Heat does indeed rise. That the purpose of heatsinks on the sides of amps. Most of the time people mount the amps on a vertical plane the heat rises up going through the heatsinks.
You could probably go to Home Depot or Lowes and get a sheet of MDF (medium density fiberboard). And make an amp rack to fit your needs. Even a piece of scrap plywood would work. It sure would be cheaper than having to replace and amp.
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